Adjustable automatic interval timer



Nov. 21, 1950 J. B. MARIS 2,530,622

ADJUSTABLE AUTOMATIC INTERVAL TIMER Filed Sept. 7, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR James 8. fiqn';

ATTORN EY 1950 J. B. MARIS 2,530,622

ADJUSTABLE AUTOMATIC INTERVAL TIMER Filed Sept. 7 1946 4 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR ATTO R N EY Nov. 21, 1950 J. B. MARIS 2,530,622

ADJUSTABLE AUTOMATIC INTERVAL TIMER Filed Sept. 7, 1946 4 ShecL-Sheet 5 l i K 5 INVENTOR 1 q '1'..' f 48 1707:: '1 Mar/' J. K BY 11 5o ATTO R N EY Nov. 21, 1950 J. B. MARIS ADJUSTABLE AUTOMATIC INTERVAL TIMER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 7, 1946 \l'amea Ivar/L;- BY

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Patented Nov. 21, 1950 ADJUSTABLE AUTOMATIC INTERVAL TIMER James B. Maris, Glen Ridge, N. J assignor to The Burdick Corporation, Milton, Wis, a corporation of Delaware Application September '7, 1946, Serial No. 695,537

Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in adjustable automatic interval timers of the type wherein a periodically repeated condition defines a cycle which may comprise two or more subcycles following each other in a predetermined order.

The sub-cycles may differ from one another in that they represent varying physical or electrical conditions in an associated mechanism, such as the on and off condition of an electrical switch. In United States Patent Specification No. 2,346,694, published April 13, 1944, I have disclosed an interval timer having two sub-cycles of independently adjustable duration. The present invention, on the other hand, is particularly concerned with an interval timer wherein the interval between any two successive operations of the timer, determining the duration of each subcycle, is constant for any given setting of the mechanism and wherein all the intervals of a cycle may be simultaneously adjusted over a wide range of time units. According to another aspect of the invention, means is provided for varying the number of sub-cycles constituting a full cycle, so that the apparatus may be selectively applied to control systems wherein different numbers of separate operations are required.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a timer, of the type described, wherein the adjustment of intervals may be effected by the actuation of a simple switch.

it is another object of the invention to provide a timer wherein the number of intervals in a cycle may be varied while the apparatus is in operation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a timer with connections for the successive establishment of a plurality of different operating conditions, and to provide means whereby some of these connections may be selectively inactivated.

Additional objects and advantages will subsequently appear.

In accordance with the invention, an interval timer may comprise a terminal block having a plurality of output connections and one or more input connections to be inserted between a load and a source of fluid pressure, electric current, or the like. Specifically, the input side of the terminal block may be connected to an air pump and the output side to pneumatic pads designed to apply pressure in cyclic rotation to selected points, e. g. the extremities of a human body. In the embodiment subsequently described byway of illustration, the several output connections 2 are identified as right arm (R. A.) left arm (L. A.) right leg (R. L.) and left leg (L. L.) respectively, although the scope and usefulness of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to such specific application.

The terminal, block may, then comprise two alternately eifective intake ports and four outlet ports from which connections may be made to the arms and legs of a person in the manner aforesaid, A valve disc under the control of a pawl cyclically connects each of the outlet ports with a correlated intake port, the pawl being positive-actuated for step-by-step movement in a forward direction and friction driven for accelerated return. A rotation of the valve disc through an angle of degrees defines one subcycle, and the duration of such rotation may be determined by varying the starting point of the pawl to which the latter is allowed to fall back upon completing its forward movement. In a particular instance, I may provide a six-position switch for this purpose whereby the operation of the timer may be adjusted for 3, 4, 5, 6, '7, and 8 minute intervals respectively. Accordingly, the duration of a full cycle may be made to vary between 12 and 32 minutes.

Provisions may further be made for such instances where it is not desirable to apply pressure to a persons arms and legs alike, as in the case of people with varicose veins where it is necessary to limit the treatment to the arms of the patient. Accordingly, the interval timer according to the invention may comprise, a channel member which in a first position connects the terminals for the four-interval cycle described, whereas in a second position two of the outlet ports are permanently blocked and alternative connections are made to the other two outlet ports in the corresponding positions of the valve disc. A simple switch arm conveniently located adjacent the terminal block permits adjustment of the channel member without interference with the mechanical operation of the mechanism.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, to which:

Fig. l is a front view of an interval timer according to the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are end views of the timer, taken respectively in the positions 2-2 and 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the timer, showing the terminal block;

Fig. 6 is a top view of the timer;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentarys'ection taken on line Iii-I6 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary section taken on line I?Il of Fig. 8;

Fig. 18 is a reverse view of the valve disc;

Figs. 19 through 26 are quasi-diagrammatic views of the terminal connections in eight fundai riehtally different positions of the mechanism.

General-construction (Figs. 1-6) The specific 'embodimeiitof th finveritron' illustratedfinthe'drawing includes a "source of "power, generally indicated by reference "numeral 30, which may comprise asynchronous "motor and a transformer "of any tom/airman de's'i'g'n, the

precise'co'ristr'uctionof which forms 'no part of I 'the'pies'e'rit invention. 'Tri mechanism or the timer issu'red to tlieh'oii ng'plate a I ,f'az" which arelield togther 'byfoiir'iriosts 3'3, '34, and 36. Th e rriotorfassefnbly 30 is fasteiid to the rear proj ects from the frontplate 3 I 'comprisi'ng'a dial as "onwhich six igtsititmjmarred a, t, c, a, e, and fare" di s ffl acfi from 61 16 ahbfihenbyahahgle of'l iOd' r'ees.

3,1 3, 46 is' 'rr'ioii'iit'ed on'the rear plate 32 'byiiiea'risfof screws 41. Projecting from the 4 llliis t he channelni'hiber 48, r'otatably'heldthreonfbya natsprmg ts'ari'dtwo co aiii'al 'stiids'SIJfS I asflwill' be "more clearly: seen from Figs. 16and 17. "Ihehfiiirig'lfi "is secured by'as'crew" 5 2"to "a projection 53 rising 'froi'n'the term 'lblo'c'k. A re'silie'iit'tongiie srrastenedto thebloclglplbya'bradketSSjcOOp'rateswith two notches 5 57 to weave"themannerisms-eras in either of {twofaltmatrvepositisnseetmme by it'he stops'f58f5'9, a throw-"over as being dislacable betw'enthese two stops. 7

Th'pl'ateifl isforifiedwith' ac'ircmar' cutout's I extended "to 62 "to receive "a p ojection 63 rising frb'rn'the terminal "block 40. 'rhecutoqt 's l rurt'lir rece vesiaiaisdshieid'w ich is'i'nteg'rfal "with the block "40, four "radially oriented "platfbrriis'lili projecting rromtrieshieldta' (seeri ie for details) The V'aIi IBHi' SC B6, rhegne'r r 011tmaybe'seen, forinstanc'e, in Figs. 8

. positioned flame-cen the elevated I pertions 64, 6 5" by ineans'b'f the stud 5 kwhichfurther "c es'the gear '61 o axialwithj fdisc65 A flat g 68 'is' fastened by screw 69 to projection ts and'pressesnponthecomcaihpor the st 'id 5 I similar'to thewa'y'in which spring d'fi acts-upon the tip of stud50. This"arrangement"maintains .tli'efpartsf fl, 66, filjwell centered and easily rotatable "with res ect to "'one'another and to terminal block 40, at the same time permitting the removahofthe channel mem ems without fnecessit'ating the disassembly' of valve disc 6 I5 and gear 67 from theterminal block.

The valve disciifihas four ratchettethw (see,

for instance, Fig. 18) spaced at an angle of degrees from one another, a pawl II being positioned for engaging these teeth except where prevented from reaching them by the shield 64 as will be subsequently explained. The gear 61 has several teeth missing in order to accommodate the prong 12 of pawl l I, the latter being pivoted aria hi1 the "gear Bland having its free end "engaged bya"vvire spring T4 secured'to the same gear. The gear 6'! meshes with a gear l5,

mounted on a sleeve 16 to which is also fixed the ratchet wheel TI.

The sleeve I6 is carried by a shaft is to which the switch 38 is secured and which :"PIISO su'p'p'jorts a second, smaller ratchet wheel '19 shown, for'instance, in Fig. 2 but omitted in Figf i'for the sake of clarity.

Azpini'on =80-is fixed to the drive shaft of the motor unit 30 and meshes with a gear SI which, bymeans of a sleeve 82, is connected with a gear 83 spaced from the front plate 3! by a bushing 3'4. rhe sleeve-s'zand tlie bushing il' l are carried by 'ail airbo'r 85. The "gear B3 is provided 0h its front fa c'ie 'vith a pin *86 Which-drives the gears i=5 and 6'? by engaging, i once during each revolution of thegearca-a'tooth 6f the ratclie't 7?. {The gear 83 further meshes with a pinion 81 arid -the whereof ,however; only si xindentaticinsenter into ope ation. v Accordingly, the wireermay have an undeveloped sectofonwhich there is"'pro'violed "an axially directed pin '9 I, pointing toward ther'ea'r plate 32, and a'radi'al pmez, v Aret'ai'ning "pawl resiliently "engages any oi the "aforesaid "six ind entatidns"depending thesetting of switch 33, thep'ositionshown'in Fig. 7 corr'espondingto rota'iion 'oi fthe ratc'het wheel 19 "and' switch as pastithe'limitingpositionifby'ngaiging 'the radial pin '32, the "other limiting position a "being determined by pin 92 abutting against the retaining paw The-ratchet '1 Thas'a spacing ofei'g'hteen t'e'eth of "which an adjacent pair is undeveloped, the

corresponding "section of its periphery carrying a throw-over pin 95 pointing in the direction of 'plateiiil. "iAftwo-p'rong'ed dogill'is pivoted on a ishaft"'98 rotatable on *areduced section thereof formed" by two bushings;aresilient tongue'99 beipo'sition this fcorifdition "the mechani'sm is adjusted for' the-step' by step advance-tr "ratchet :1 and gear 15 in a counter-clockwise and gear 61'in"a clockwise direction,fas viewed in Figs. 4 and 7,?prohgfl2 '-'of"pawl l l acting to displace the valvedisc '66 "alon'gv'vith gear- 61. When' the ratchet IT has turnedsfifilciently thatpiir'Elfi "may abut against the left-hand prong 'ltlil'ofthe dog 91 "which normally over-res thiswheel' asseen in Fig. '3, the dog-in the course of the next step --of ratchet TI is thrown into the position shown in Fig. '7, permitting the wheels 61, I and TI to rotate in reverse direction under the influence of the frictional coupling between pinions 81 and 88 whereupon the pawl II is returned toia point from where it may subsequently engage a new ratchet tooth on the valve disc 66. This reverse movement takes place during less than a full revolution of the gear 83, whereupon the pin 86 on that gear makes contact with the righthand prong I03 and restores the dog 91 to normal, immediately thereafter beginning a new cycle of step-by-step forward rotation by engaging a tooth on the ratchet 'I'I.

The point to which the ratchet Tl, and, consequently, the pawl II may fall back during its reverse movement is determined by the position of pin SI which engages another pin I05, secured to'. the wheel I1, whereby the pinion 88 is decoupled from pinion 81. The location of pin 9| in the switching position a is such that the ratchet I! may make almost a full revolution withoutbeing stopped by the pins. A sub-cycle of the mechanism in this position equals sixteen revolutions of the gear 83. This number is reduced by two revolutions in each consecutive position of the switch 38, so that finally in position 1 the pawl II is returned after engagement of only six teeth of ratchet Tl by the dividing pin 86.

Thus, in position 1, a sub-cycle corresponds to the engagement of only one-third of the teeth of ratchet 11 by the pin 86, that is the gear rotates through an angle of 120 degrees. The tooth ratio of gears I5 and 67 is three to four so that the latter gear will at the same time rotate through an angle of 90 degrees, that is the prong 12 of pawl II will just be able to engage a subsequent tooth !0 on valve disc 66'. In position e, for example, the pawl II still carries the disc 66 through an angle of 90 degrees, but a time interval corresponding to two revolutions of gear 83 must elapse before the prong 12 is brought up against a tooth 10 from its starting position. This interval may be multiplied two, three,four or five times by setting the switch 38 to positions (1, c, b and a respectively.

It will be realized that the path of the pawl II covers an angle of 180 degrees in position c and that the prong 12 would therefore engage not the tooth immediately following but the one next to it whenever the switch is set at (1., her

0. To avoid this, the prong T2 is extended so as to overhang the shield 64 (best seen in Fig. 12) which is shaped so that no more than two adjoining teeth 10 will be exposed at any one time (see Figs. 8 and 11).

The speed of the synchronous motor and the gear ratio of the mechanism may be selected so that a revolution of the gear 83 is completed in half a minute; it will then be seen that switch position it corresponds to a sub-cycle of eight minutes and that a full minute will be deducted therefrom for each step the switch 38 is advanced toward position 1. The minimum subcycle will therefore be equal to an interval of three minutes, and the full cycle (corresponding to a complete revolution of valve disc 56) may be varied between 12 and 32 minutes.

The terminal connections (Figs. 8-18) A full revolution of the gear 83 may be termed an operational step, and we can subsequently distinguish between effective and idle steps depending. onwhether or not the. pawl II engages a tooth I0 at the particular time. It has been established that a sub-cycle always includes six effective steps in which the valve disc 66 is successively displaced over an angle of 90 degrees, to which may be added any even number of idle steps up to eight (and including zero) in the course of which the prong I2 approaches a ratchet tooth. Since it is desired that a particular condition. be maintained for theduration of a sub-cycle, it will be necessaryto design the disc 66 so that its effect may remain the same in six consecutive positions.

The reverse side of valve disc 66 which faces the terminal block 40 is shown in Fig. 18. It may be seen that the disc is divided into four quadrants, corresponding to the four ratchet teeth 10, of which the first quadrant comprises the six discharge holes I06, the second the six bleeder slots I01, the third the six radial grooves I08, and the fourth combination of a discharge port I09 and five additional bleeder slots H0. The grooves I08 are visible as slight protubera tions I08 on the other side of the disc 66 as shown in Fig. 8.

The platforms 65 are provided with pairs of radially spaced holes of which those on the inner circle, marked III-II4, pass clear through the terminal block 40 while the outer ones, I I5-I I8, are blined holes in that they extend only about half-way into the block. Two additional blind holes II9, I are provided on the reverse side of the-terminal block, see, for instance Fig. 14.

The terminal block comprises an internal channel system which permanently connects the terminals 4I-46 with associated holes II3I20, in the following manner: A channel I4I connects the intake terminal 4I with hole I I6 and a channel 24I extends this connection to hole II5. Similarly, a channel I42 connects the intake terminal 42 with hole I I1 and a channel 242 extends holes I2I, I23 while a similar channel I26 interconnects the remaining holes I 22, I24. The channels I25, I26 are arranged at different levels of member 48 so as not to intersect each other.

The member 48 further comprises two shallow, elongated depressions I21 and I28. In the position shown in Fig. 10, these depressions form re-- spective bridges between holes I I I, I I9 and be tween holes II2, I20. two bleeder slots I29 and I30.

The grooves I08 in valve disc 66 are positioned.

so as to connect any of the inner holes III-I I4 with its associated outer holes I I5-I I8. The holes I06 communicate only with the outer holes. II5-I I8, while the port I09 and bleeder slots IN,

I I0 register with the inner holes III-I I4. The. holes I06 are in constant communication with,

one another, due to being located in a depressed forms 65. y

There are also provided Inpractice, the channels HI-Ir46 and 24I-2-42 may be drilled from the sides of the block. 40 and the ends subsequently closed by plugs I33. as shown in Figs. 12-14. The channels I25, I26 in member 48 may be produced in a similar manner.

The operating cycle (Figs. 19-26) The various operating conditions made possible by the arrangement hereina-bove described will now be analyzed. Each of the Figs. 19-26 illustrates a particular relative position of the members 40, 48 and '66 which is representative of a respective sub-cycle, the last (sixth) position of the valve disc 66 being shown in each instance. In Figs. 19-22, the channel member 48 is shown in the position corresponding to Fig. 10;; in the remaining four views its position corresponds to that given inFig. 15,,

For the purpose of this illustration, reference will be had to terminals 43-46 as the right-arm, left-arm, right-leg, left-leg connections respectively, indicated in the drawing by R. A.., L. A., R. L., and L. L.

In the typical positions shown on the left-hand side of the drawing, depression I21 interconnects the holes III, H9 and depression I28 similarly interconnects the holes II 2, I20. The holes I2I-I24 are not aligned with the bores III-I I4 and have no influence on the cycle, having therefore been omitted in the first four figures under 3 consideration. In position I (Fig. 19), the grooves I08 are consecutively bridged across the holes 'II2, II6 so that a continuous connection is established between the right-hand inlet 'port M and R. L. terminal 46, via channel I, hole II'S, groove I08, bore II2, depression I28, hole I21], channel I 46. The left-hand inlet port 42 discharges freely into the atmosphere, by way of channels, I42, 242., hole 118., holes I06, clearence I On the next effective step of the mechanism, disc I56 is displaced by an angle of 15 degrees whereupon the discharge port I09 (not shown in Figs. 19-26) registers with bore I I2 so as to release the pressure in the associated right-leg connection by way of depressed portion I3 I holes I09 and clearance I32. The grooves I08 interconnect holes III and H (Fig. 20'), and the intake II is through-connected to the L. L. terminal 45 via channels I41, 24I, hole II5, groove I08, bore III, depression I21, hole II9, channel I45. Intake 42 discharges through channel I42, holes 106, clearance I32. After the initial release of its pressure through port I99, terminal '46 remains connected to atmosphere for the rest of the sub-cycle by means of bleeder slots I H! registering with bore I I2.

In Fig. 21, inlet terminal II and R. A. terminal 44 are interconnected by a circuit which should now be obvious. Pressure is removed from the left-leg connection through port I09 and, subsequently, through bleeder slots I=IIl while the inlet terminal 42 discharges through holes H6 and 1 06.

In Fig. .22, finally, the intake 4| is connected to the lent-arm outlet terminal 43 to complete the cycle. The input pressure at 42 is dissipated through holes .I I5, I06 and the removal of pressure from the right-arm connection is accomplished in the manner previously described. It will be noted that bleeder slots III! are at this juncture in communication with the terminal 46.,

in order to prevent any undesired pressure from being built up in'the momentarily inactive rightleg connection,

The conditions represented by Figs. 23-26 are identical with those shown in their counterparts on the left, except for the fact that the member 48 isxno'w in the position illustrated in Fig. 15.. The depressions I27, I28 are no longer in position to connect with any of the terminal block and have been omitted in these views. On the other hand, hole I2I-I'24 register with bones III-II, respectively, with the result that bores II I, II2 are now in permanent communication with their diagonally opposite numbers H3, II4.

The bridge between holes I I2 and I having been removed, no pressure can be applied to the R. L. terminal 46 in position I (Fig. .23); instead, the circuit from intake terminal H is extended through channel I26 to the R. A. terminal 44, inlet from terminal M is applied to the left-arm terminal 43 rather than to the left-leg connection at 35. Fig. 25, which is analogous to Fig; 21, shows the circuit again established between terminals 42 and 44, and in Fig. 26 terminal 42 communicates with terminal 43 as was the case in Fig. 22. Bleeder slots I29, I30 register with holes I19, I29 respectively, permanently connecting the terminals 45 and 46 (which are inactive) with the atmosphere.

The operation of the mechanism should now be clear to anyone skilled in the art, and "numerous modifications and adaptations may readily occur to those interested without constituting a departure from the spirit and scope of my invention. The nature of the invention having been ascertained in the foregoing specification, its scope will be defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

I. An interval timer comprising a drive shaft, mechanism associated with said drive shaft including a control gear, a driving member carried by said control gear, a ratchet wheel arranged to be stepped one tooth by said driving member during each revolution of said control gear, a frictional coupling between said ratchet wheel tending to rotate the latter in a sense opposite to the direction of motion to said driving member, a rotary valve member having a plurality of spaced teeth, a pawl positionable for the successive engagement of said spaced teeth, means connecting said pawl with said ratchet Wheel, means for normally opposing the action of said frictional coupling, means including a stationary stop member for arresting said ratchet wheel in a predetermined angular position subsequent to the action of said frictional coupling and manually resettable means for varying the position of said stationary stop member.

2. In an "interval timer, a continuously rotatable control member, a controlled member, means effective in a predetermined angular position or" said control member to step said controlled member in a given direction, continuously operative means tending to displace said controlled member in an opposite direction, normally effective means for preventing the displacement of said controlled member insa id .Qpposits direction, and means effective in the interval of two consecutive operations of .said stepping mcans for temporarily inactivating .said normally effective means whereby said controlled member is returned to a starting position.

3. In an interval timer, a continuously rotatable control member, a controlled member, means eifective in a predetermined angular position of said control member to step said controlled member in a given direction, continuously operative means tending to displace said controlled mem her in an opposite direction, normally effective means for preventing the displacement of said controlled member in said opposite direction, means effective in the interval of two consecutive operations of said stepping means for temporarily inactivating said normally effective means, and manually resettable means for limiting the displacement of said controlled member under the action of said continuously operative means.

4. In an interval timer, a continuously rotatable gear, a projection on said gear, a ratchet having its teeth positioned for engagement by said projection so as to be rotated thereby in a given direction, a, first pinion positive-connected to said gear, a second pinion friction-coupled to said first pinion and positive-connected to said ratchet whereby the latter may be rotated in an opposite direction, a dog normally effective to prevent rotation of the ratchet in said opposite direction, a second projection on said ratchet for deflecting said dog in a given angular position of the ratchet, and means including said first projection for restoring the dog to normal ,posite direction, a second pin carried by said during the next successive revolution of said gear. 25

ratchet for deflecting said dog in a given angular position of the ratchet, a third pin carried by a manually resettable member co-axial with said ratchet, a fourth pin positioned on said ratchet for facultative engagement of said third pin, means including said first pin for restoring the dog to normal during the revolution of said gear immediately following deflection of the dog by said second pin, and means including said third and fourth pins for determining the angular position to which said ratchet may be displaced in the deflected condition of said dog.

JAMES B. MARIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,346,694 Maris Apr. 18, 1944 2,367,319 Wahlberg Jan. 16, 1945 

